Short answer: The best ChatGPT alternatives in 2026 are Google Gemini (best value and Google integration), Claude (best for long-form writing and coding agents), Grok (best for real-time X data and video), Microsoft Copilot (best inside Microsoft 365), Perplexity (best for cited research and choosing between models) and DeepSeek (best free option and low-cost API, with privacy trade-offs). Which is best depends on what you use AI for.
Prices and models were checked on official pages and reputable trackers on November 2, 2026. Prices are USD before tax.
Quick comparison
| Assistant | Maker | Top model(s) | Free plan | Paid from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google Gemini | Gemini 4 Argon | Yes | $4.99/mo | Google apps, value, storage | |
| Claude | Anthropic | Fable 5.1, Opus 5.5 | Yes | $20/mo ($17 annual) | Writing, coding agents |
| Grok | xAI (SpaceXSI) | Grok 4.7 | Yes | $8/mo | Real-time X data, video |
| Microsoft Copilot | Microsoft | OpenAI and Anthropic models | Yes | $19.99/mo (Microsoft 365 Premium) | Word, Excel, Outlook users |
| Perplexity | Perplexity | Choice incl. GPT-6.1 Sol, Claude Sonnet 5.5, Grok 4.7 | Yes | $17/mo annual ($20 monthly) | Cited research |
| DeepSeek | DeepSeek | V4.1-Flash, V4-Pro | Yes (free app) | No paid consumer plan | Free use, cheap API |
Sources: Google One, Claude, x.ai, Microsoft, Perplexity, AI Plan Comparison.
For reference, ChatGPT itself costs $0 (Free), $8 (Go), $20 (Plus) or $100–$500 (Pro). See ChatGPT Free vs paid.
1. Google Gemini: best value and Google integration
What it is: Google’s AI assistant, built into Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Android and Chrome.
Why choose it:
– Cheapest paid plan: Google AI Plus at $4.99/month; AI Pro at $19.99 includes Gemini 4 Argon, a 1M-token context window and 5 TB of storage (Google One).
– Image, video and music tools in the same plans.
Watch out for: several features are US-only or select countries.
Full comparison: ChatGPT vs Gemini.
2. Claude: best for writing and coding agents
What it is: Anthropic’s assistant, widely regarded for natural writing and careful reasoning.
Why choose it:
– Models: Fable 5.1 (top model), Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5 and Haiku 5.5 (Anthropic).
– Claude Code included from Pro; Max ($100) and Ultra ($200) add monthly API credits.
– Integrations with Chrome and Microsoft 365.
Watch out for: no native image or video generation; five-hour and weekly usage limits.
3. Grok: best for real-time information and video
What it is: xAI’s assistant, connected to X (formerly Twitter).
Why choose it:
– Live X and web search for breaking news and trends.
– Grok Imagine for images and up to 15-second videos with audio.
– The X Subscription bundles Grok, Cursor and X Premium from $8/month (x.ai).
Watch out for: social posts are unverified, and Grok’s image tools have faced safety controversies. Read What is Grok AI? and Grok vs ChatGPT.
4. Microsoft Copilot: best inside Microsoft 365
What it is: Microsoft’s AI assistant, built into Windows, Edge and Microsoft 365 apps.
Why choose it:
– Microsoft retired the standalone Copilot Pro and folded premium Copilot features into Microsoft 365 Premium at $19.99/month or $199.99/year in the US, which includes Office apps and cloud storage (Microsoft, Microsoft Store).
– Microsoft says Microsoft 365 Copilot for organisations uses models from OpenAI and Anthropic.
Watch out for: AI features in Premium are for the subscription owner only, not shared family members.
Note: if you mainly want AI in Office, ChatGPT also offers an add-in for Excel, Word and PowerPoint. See How to use ChatGPT for Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
5. Perplexity: best for cited research
What it is: an AI answer engine that cites sources and lets you choose between models.
Why choose it:
– Pro is $17/month billed annually and offers models including GPT-6.1 Sol, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Claude Sonnet 5.5 and Grok 4.7 (Perplexity).
– Deep research and “Computer” for building documents and apps.
– A top tier at $167/month billed annually.
Watch out for: always open the cited sources; summaries can still misrepresent them.
6. DeepSeek: best free option, with caveats
What it is: a Chinese AI company whose consumer app is free and whose API is among the cheapest.
Why choose it:
– Free consumer app; API from about $0.15 per million input tokens off-peak for V4.1-Flash, which replaced V4-Flash on September 10, 2026, according to AI Plan Comparison.
Watch out for: data-policy trade-offs. Some governments and organisations have restricted DeepSeek on official devices over data-security concerns. Read its privacy policy before sharing anything sensitive, and check your employer’s rules.
How they compare by task
| Task | Top picks |
|---|---|
| Long-form writing and editing | Claude, ChatGPT |
| Research with citations | Perplexity, ChatGPT, Gemini |
| Breaking news and social trends | Grok |
| Gmail, Docs, Sheets | Gemini |
| Word, Excel, Outlook | Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT add-in |
| Coding | Claude Code, ChatGPT Codex, Grok with Cursor |
| Images and video | Gemini, Grok |
| Lowest cost | DeepSeek (free), Gemini AI Plus ($4.99) |
Pros and cons summary
| Assistant | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini | Cheap, storage, Google apps | US-only features |
| Claude | Writing quality, Claude Code | No image/video generation |
| Grok | Live X data, video | Unverified sources, safety controversies |
| Copilot | Built into Office | Tied to Microsoft 365 subscription |
| Perplexity | Citations, model choice | Summaries still need checking |
| DeepSeek | Free, cheap API | Data-privacy concerns |
How to choose an alternative: step by step
- Name your main use (writing, research, office work, coding, media).
- Check your ecosystem (Google, Microsoft, X, none).
- Check privacy needs, especially for client or employee data.
- Test two free tiers with the same five prompts.
- Pay for one for a month and review.
Regional notes
- UK and EU: GDPR gives you rights over your data. Prefer providers that offer clear data-processing terms for business use.
- UAE: check data-residency requirements for regulated sectors before choosing any provider.
- Canada: privacy laws apply to personal information you upload; avoid sharing client data on personal accounts.
- US: state privacy laws vary; businesses should review vendor terms.
- Prices: listed in USD; local VAT (20% UK, 5% UAE, 17%–27% EU) or sales tax may apply (GOV.UK, FTA, European Commission).
Price comparison at a glance
| Assistant | Free | Entry | Standard | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT | Yes | $8 (Go) | $20 (Plus) | $500 (Pro 500) |
| Gemini | Yes | $4.99 (AI Plus) | $19.99 (AI Pro) | $199.99 (AI Ultra) |
| Claude | Yes | — | $20 (Pro) | $200 (Ultra) |
| Grok | Yes | $8 (Plus) | $30 (Premium) | $200 (Ultra) |
| Microsoft Copilot | Yes | — | $19.99 (M365 Premium) | — |
| Perplexity | Yes | — | $17 annual / $20 monthly (Pro) | $167 annual (Max) |
| DeepSeek | Yes (app) | — | — | — |
Prices in USD before tax from the official pages linked above.
Try this: the same prompt in three assistants
Paste this into ChatGPT and two alternatives:
“I run a small online shop selling handmade candles in the UK. Give me a 4-week Instagram plan with post ideas, captions and best posting times. Note anything you’re unsure about.”
Compare: Which plan is most specific? Which admits uncertainty? Which needs the least editing? That tells you more than any review.
Who should stick with ChatGPT?
If you already use ChatGPT daily, rely on its Excel, Word and PowerPoint add-in, or use Codex for coding, switching may cost more time than it saves. In that case, keep ChatGPT as your main tool and add one free alternative for specific jobs, such as Perplexity for cited research or Grok for live X trends.
Specialist alternatives worth knowing
- For coding only: Cursor (bundled with Grok’s X Subscription) or Claude Code.
- For enterprise search over company files: Microsoft 365 Copilot or ChatGPT Business with connectors.
- For students on a budget: ChatGPT Free with study mode, or Gemini’s free tier.
These aren’t full chatbot replacements, but they can cover the job you actually need done.
Key takeaways
- Gemini: best value and Google integration.
- Claude: best for long-form writing and coding agents.
- Grok: best for live X data and video.
- Copilot: best inside Microsoft 365.
- Perplexity: best for cited research.
- DeepSeek: free, but review the privacy trade-offs.
- Test two free tiers before paying for one.
- Recheck prices before buying, because AI plans changed often in 2026 and are likely to keep changing.
- Keep your best prompts in a notes file so you can switch assistants easily.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice. Laws, pricing and product features (including AI regulations such as GDPR, the EU AI Act and UAE rules) change frequently and vary by country. Verify details with official sources and consult a qualified professional before acting. taxtotech.com is not affiliated with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, xAI, Microsoft, Perplexity or DeepSeek.
Trending ChatGPT Prompts You Can Copy
These are popular, widely shared prompt patterns for everyday use, adapted from community examples on Reddit and X and the advice in OpenAI’s prompt engineering guide. Replace the text in [brackets] with your own details. We do not claim any prompt is the “most used”; they are practical starting points.
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Summarise this article in 5 bullet points, then list 3 questions I should ask next: [paste text]
Why it works: Fixed output format and a follow-up step keep answers short and useful.
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Write a first draft of a blog intro about [topic] for [audience]. Hook in the first line, under 100 words.
Why it works: Audience, hook and length are the three levers that shape good intros.
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Explain what this code does line by line, then suggest one improvement: [code]
Why it works: Explanation before changes helps you learn and verify the fix.
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Rewrite this email so it is polite, clear and under 120 words: [paste email]
Why it works: A tone, a goal and a word limit give the model clear targets.
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Edit this text for clarity and grammar. Keep my voice. Show changes as a list after the edited version: [text]
Why it works: Asking to keep your voice stops over-rewriting; listing changes keeps you in control.
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Write a [language] function that [task]. Include input validation, comments and 3 test cases.
Why it works: Asking for tests and validation produces more reliable code.
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Plan 5 dinners for this week for 2 people, under 30 minutes each, using [ingredients]. Add a shopping list.
Why it works: Constraints (time, people, ingredients) turn a vague ask into a usable plan.
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Give me 10 headline options for [topic]: 3 how-to, 3 list, 3 question, 1 bold claim.
Why it works: Mixing formats gives real variety instead of 10 near-duplicates.
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I get this error: [error]. Here is the code: [code]. What is the likely cause and the smallest fix?
Why it works: The full error plus code and 'smallest fix' avoids big unnecessary rewrites.
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Explain [topic] like I'm a beginner, then give me one real-world example.
Why it works: Setting the audience level controls jargon and depth.
Always check facts, numbers and code before you rely on the output.
FAQ
What is the best free ChatGPT alternative?
Gemini’s free tier is the most well-rounded. DeepSeek is fully free but has data-privacy trade-offs.
Which alternative is best for writing?
Claude is widely preferred for long-form writing and editing.
Is Perplexity better than ChatGPT for research?
Perplexity is built around citations and lets you pick models, which many researchers like. ChatGPT’s search and deep research are also strong. Test both.
Is Microsoft Copilot the same as ChatGPT?
No. Copilot is Microsoft’s product; Microsoft says it uses models from OpenAI and Anthropic, but features and pricing differ.
Is DeepSeek safe to use?
It works well for general questions, but review its privacy policy and avoid sharing sensitive or work data. Some organisations restrict it.
Can I use more than one AI assistant?
Yes. Many people use one paid plan plus free tiers of others.
What are the best ChatGPT prompts to try?
Start with clear, specific prompts that set a role, a goal and an output format, such as summaries in bullet points, rewrites with a word limit, or step-by-step plans. See the “Trending ChatGPT Prompts You Can Copy” section above for copy-ready examples; widely shared patterns work best when you add your own context.
Conclusion
ChatGPT is still the default for many people, but it isn’t the only good option. Gemini wins on value, Claude on writing, Grok on real-time data, Copilot on Office integration, Perplexity on citations and DeepSeek on price. Match the tool to your work, keep your data safe, and start with free tiers. For a head-to-head on models, read Grok vs Claude vs Gemini.
